Stethoscope with valved sound



July 4, 1950 J. J. TYNAN 2,513,827

STETHOSCOPE WITH VALVED SOUND PASSAGE Filed Feb. 4, 1948 Zmnentor wit (lttornegs Patented July 4, 1950 PATENT OFFICE STETHOSCOPE WITH VALVED SOUND PASSAGE James J. Tynan, Stratford, Conn.

Application February 4, 1948, Serial No. 6,199

9 Claims. (01. 181-24) This invention relates to a stethoscope to be used by doctors in listening to sounds of the body organs. There are two different types of stethoscopes now commonly used, the bell type and the diaphragm type. Doctors usually carry both types as they consider it advisable to use different ones in listening to different sounds or organs. That requires carrying two Stethoscopes.

An object of my device is to provide a simple and compact stethoscope which embodies both the diaphragm and the bell type of stethoscope, and combining them in such a manner that a doctor can change quickly and easily from one type to the other with a simple movement of one of the parts.

A further object of my device is to provide a stethoscope of the type heretofore described embodying both the diaphragm and the bell type without interfering with the function of either.

An additional object is to provide a stethoscope of the type heretofore described which is suitably constructed and which is compact, thereby providing maximum utility for the user.

Another object is to provide a construction which is made to conform naturally to the form of the hand of the user when using either type of stethoscope.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, I have devised the construction illustrated in the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification. It is, however, to be understood the invention is not limited to the specific details of construction and arrangement shown, but may embody various changes and modifications within the scope of the invention.

In this drawing:

Fig. l is a side elevation of the device;

Fig. 2 is an end view looking from the right of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section of the device;

Fig. 4 is a transverse section substantially on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a partial side elevation and partial longitudinal section of the interior control element;

Fig. 6 is an end view thereof, and

Fig. '7 is a sectional view showing a somewhat modified construction.

The device comprises a body it provided at one end with a concave recess or cavity [2 and a lateral concave recess or cavity l3 in a side extension I4. One of these cavities may be left uncovered for the transmitter end of a bell type stethoscope, and the other may be covered with a flexible diaphragmfor the transmitter of a diaphragm type of stethoscope. In the present arrangement the cavity or recess [2 in the end is left open for the bell type transmitter II, while the cavity or recess I3 is covered with a flexible as the ring [6 threaded to the extension It at I1,

and provided with an annular flange L8 to clamp the rim of the diaphragm against the rim [5. This ring may be knurled as shown at l6a to provide a better grip in clamping or releasing the diaphragm.

The body may be of different constructions and could be made of one piece with the cavities l2 and 13 formed in integral end and side portions, but in the arrangement shown the body comprises a tubular central member 19 in one end of which the end member 20 is seated at 2i with a reduced neck portion 22, and is secured by any suitable means, such as a set screw 23. In the arrangement shown the side extension It is also a separate member including a reduced neck portion 24 seated in an opening in the side of the member l9 and secured therein by any suitable means, such as a set screw 25. As the member I9 is a tubular member it has a longitudinal chamber or passage 26 in which is mounted a control member 21. This member comprises a tubular member provided with a longitudinal.

sound passage 40 and an inner head or cylindrical enlargement 28 in the passage or chamber 23 fitting snugly in this passage for turning as Well as limited sliding movement. Adjacent the enlarged portion 28 is a reduced portion 29- providing a shoulder 30, and embracing this reduced portion is a coil spring 3| engaging the shoulder 30 at one end and a shoulder 32 in member it? at the opposite end of the passage 26 from member 20, so that this spring tends to shift the member 21 to the right as viewed in Fig. 3 to hold the inner end 33 of this member against the inner end of the member 20. To the left of the reduced portion 29 is an intermediate enlarged portion 34 on which is a collar 35 engaging the end of the member l9 forming a thrust bearing, and preferably this is stepped, as shown at 36. This collar is secured to the portion 34 by,

any suitable means, such, for example, as the set screw 31, and preferably has a knurled portion 38 to give a better grip for turning the mem.

ber 35 and the member 21. Beyond the portion 34 is a reduced tubular portion 39 for connection to the usual rubber tube 48, indicated in dottedv lines, leading to the ear members.

The member 2'! is provided with a longitudina] sound passage 45 opening through the end of the portion 39 and therefore connected with the rubber tube 48 telescoped over this portion, and at its opposite end is provided with one or more inclined passages 4! opening through this end at points spaced laterally from the axis of the member 21, the present construction having two of these passages. There is also a side passage 42 so arranged that in certain positions of the member 2? it is in alignment with a passage 43 leading to the cavity 13 in the diaphragm trans-- mitter. The end member is provided with a pair of passages 44 leading from its inner end to the bell cavity 12, and at their inner ends these are spaced the same distances as the passages 4| through the end of the member 21, so that in certain positions of the member 21 these passages 4! are in alignment with and form continuations of the passages 44 to connect the bell cavity [2 with the sound passage 40. These passages 14! and 44 are so located with respect to the passages 42 and 43 that when the lateral passage 42 is in alignment with the passage 43 leading to the diaphragm cavity I3, so that this cavity is in communication with the sound passage 40, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, at this time the passages 4! are out of alignment with the passages 44, and therefore the cavity I2 of the bell transmitter is cut off from the sound passage 40. By turning the member 27 a partial revolution the passages 4! are brought into alignment with the passages 44 bringing the bell cavity it into communication with the sound passage 43. At the same time this partial movement of the member 2'5 shifts the lateral passage 42 out of alignment with the passage 43 leading to the diaphragm cavity l3, and thus disconnects this cavity from communication with the sound passage '40. Therefore, by turning the control member 21 through a partial revolution, either the bell cavity H2 or the diaphragm cavity l3 may be placed in communication with the sound passage as desired, but as one cavity.

is brought into communication with this sound to the sound passage is automatically disconnected.

To facilitate the operator in placing either transmitter cavity in communication with the sound passage and maintaining this connection, means is provided for retaining the member 2'1 in either one of the two positions, but permitting the operator to readily turn this member from one position to the other. Various means may be employed for this purpose, but in the construction shown the end 33 of the member 2? is provided with an extension or lug between the passages 4i and adapted when these passages are out of alignment with the passages 44 to seat in one of these latter passages to retain the member 21 in this position, and when the member 21 is turned to the other position to bring the passages 44 into alignment with the passages 44 to then seat in a recess 46 in the inner end of the member 29 and retain the member 2-1 in this position. This requires a short longitudinal movement of the member 2! in the passage or chamber 26, but this is permitted by yielding of the spring 31, and in either one of the two positions of the member 21 this lug 45 is held either in one of the passages 44 or the recess 46 by action of the spring. In shifting the control member from one position to the otherv the operator first pulls it outwardly or to the left a short distance by pulling on grip -38 to thus release the holding lug 45, and then may turn the member 21. The lug 45 and passages 44 or recess 45 provide cooperating shoulders to retain the control member in dilferent positions.

It will be evident from the above that this device provides both a bell type and a diaphragm type of stethoscope transmitter in the same unitary structure, which is very compact and requires practically no greater space than would a single stethoscope of either type, but that by a simple action of the operator, that is, merely turning the member 21 a partial revolution, either type of stethoscope is available, the other type being by this action automatically rendered inoperative. The body is so shaped as to provide a natural easy grip for the hand of the operator in holding either type of transmitter against the part of a persons body to be examined, and

to improve this grip and to prevent the fingers inadvertently sliding ofi the stethoscope body when pressing the bell end against the surface or" the body being examined, the end portion is somewhat enlarged and connected with the smaller portion I9 by an inclined wall 4?. The tubular portion I9 with this inclined wall 4'! forms'a natural grip when pressing the end portion 25 against a persons body, while it forms an equally natural grip With the lateral portion i4 when pressing this enlarged lateral portion against the body being examined.

Fig. '7 shows a somewhat modified construction, the principle and operation, however, being the same as that of the form of Figs. 1 to 6. In this form the body includes a member 49 with the bell shaped recess !2 in an enlarged end 49a corresponding to end member 25 of the first form, and a side member 50 corresponding to the member M of the first form threaded into an opening in the side wall of the member 49 as indicated at 5i, and provided with a flared recess [3 closed by the flexible diaphragm it, the same as in the first form, and clamped over this recess by the member It, the same as in the first form.

The member 49 is bored longitudinally from passage the connection from the other cavity 5 the d DD e the c s 2 o orm the chamber or compartment 52 in which is mounted the control member 53. This member comprises an enlarged head portion 54 and a reduced extension 55 projecting from the end of the body to which is fastened the rubber ear tube 48 leading to the ear insert members of the usual type. The control member 53 is provided with a longitudinal sound passage 56 and also a lateral passage 51 through one side adapted to be brought into alignment with the passage 58 leading from the recess [3. It is also provided with one or more passages 59 extending through its end wall from the passage 56 and adapted to be brought into alignment with a sound passage 50 leading from the recess 12.. The passages '59 and 60 are ofiset laterally from the axis of the control member 53 so that these passages can .be brought into and out of alignment by turning movements of the control member 53. The passages 57, 58 and 59, GE] are so arranged that when the passages 55 and 58 are in alignment to bring recess 13 into communication with the sound passage 58, as shown in Fig. 7, the passages 59 and til are out of alignment .to cut off communication from the recess 12 to the pas sage 56. When the control member 53 is turned a partial revolution the passages 55 and 69am brought into alignment to place the recess 12 in communication with the sound passage 55, and at thesame time the passage 51 is moved out of alignment with the passage 58 to cut off communication from the recess 13 to the passage 56.

Means is provided to retain the control member 53 in either one of these two positions. This may be accomplished in diiferent ways, but in the arrangement shown the control member 53 is adapted for limited longitudinal sliding movement in the chamber 52 and is held to the left or with its inner end against the inner end of this chamber by a coil spring 52 embracing the reduced portion 55 and at its inner end engaging the shoulder 63 so as to tend to move thecontrol member inwardly or to the left as viewed in Fig. 5. At its other end it engages the plug or ring 64 threaded into the end of the member 49, as shown at 65. Secured on the reduced portion 56 of the control member is a knurled collar forming a hand grip 613 which may be secured to the portion 55 by any suitable means, such as a set screw Bl. The inner end of the collar 66 carries one or more projections, such as a pin 68 adapted to seat in angularly spaced recesses 69 to retain the control member 53 in different angular positions to bring either the passages 51 and 58 or 59 and 60 into alignment as the control member 53 is adjusted, the same as in the first form. That is, the operator, by pulling outwardly or to the right as viewed in Fig. 7, on the hand grip EEWill release the pin or lug 68 from the recess 59, this action being permitted by compression of the spring 62, and by turning of the hand grip G6 the control member 53 may be turned a partial revolution to bring either the passages 51, 58 or 59, 60 into alignment to alternately bring the recesses l3 and [2 into communication with the sound passage 56 or disconnect it therefrom. When released, the spring 62 shifts the member 53 to the left and brings the lug 68 into one of the recesses 69 to retain the control member 53 in this position until again shifted by the operator, depending on whether he wishes to use the bell type or the diaphragm type of transmitter. This pin or lug 58 and recesses 69 provide cooperating shoulders on the body and control member to retain this member in different adjusted positions under action of the spring 62. The head 45a is provided with an inclined wall corresponding to wall 47 to give a natural and in creased grip the same as in the first form.

Having thus set forth the nature of my invention, I claim:

A stethoscope comprising a substantially cylindrical body provided with flared recesses opening through one end and a side thereof, a flexible diaphragm closing the open side of one of said recesses, a tubular rotatable control member extending longitudinally in said body provided with a sound passage opening through its opposite ends and a side wall, said body being provided with sound passages from said recesses to the inner end of said control member and said side passage respectively and arranged to alternately communicate With said respective passages on partial turning movements of the control member, and the outer end of the control member adapted for connection to an ear tube.

2. A stethoscope comprising a substantially cylindrical body provided with flared recesses opening through one end and a side wall thereof and also provided with a chamber and sound passages leading from said chamber to the recesses, a diaphragm closing the open side of one recess, a tubular control member extending longitudinally and mounted for turning movements in longitudinally said chamber provided with a longitudinal sound passage and including an outer end projecting from the body for connection to an ear tube, said control member being provided with at least one passage in its inner end positioned to move to and from alignment with a passage to the end recess by turning movements of the control member, said member being also provided with a lateral passage movable by said movements to and from alignment with the passage to the side recess, and said end and side passages in the control member being so arranged that when one.

is in communication with a recess the other is disconnected from the other recess.

3. A stethoscope comprising a substantially cylindrical body provided with flared recesses opening through one end and a side wall thereof and also provided with a chamber and sound passages leading from said chamber to the respective recesses, a diaphragm closing the open side of one recess, a tubular control member ex-- tending longitudinally and mounted for turning movements in said chamber provided with a longitudinal sound passage and including an outer end portion projecting from the body for connection with an ear tube, said control member being provided with a passage in its inner end and a lateral passage communicating with the respective passages to the recesses, said end and lateral passages being so located as to move to and from alignment with the passages to the respective recesses on turning movements of the control member and also so arranged that when either one is in communication with its recess passage the other is out of communication with the other recess passage, and holding means for retaining the control member in either position and yieldable to permit turning of the control member from one position to the other.

4. A stethoscope comprising a substantially cylindrical body provided with flared recesses opening through one end and a side wall thereof and also provided with a chamber and sound passages leading from said chamber to the respective recesses, a diaphragm closing the open side of one recess, a tubular control member extending longitudinally and mounted for turning and longitudinal sliding movements in said.

chamber, a spring tending to shift said member in one direction, cooperating shoulders on the body and control member to retain the control member in different angular positions under action of said spring, said control member being provided with a longitudinal sound passage and including an outer end portion projecting from the body for connection with an ear tube, said control member being provided with a passage in its inner end and a. lateral passage communicating with the respective passages to the recesses, and said end and lateral passages. being so located as to move to and from alignment with passages to the respective recesses on. turning movements of the control member and.

also so arranged that when either one is in com-- munication with its recess passage the other is; out of communication with the other recess passage.

5. A stethoscope comprising a substantiallycylindrical body provided with flared recesses.

opening through one end and a side wall there-- of, a. flexible diaphragm closing the opening side of one recess, a tubular control member extending longitudinally and mounted for turning movements in the body and provided with a longitudinal sound passage, said control member pro- 7 jecting 'froin the body at one end and provided with means -for connection with an ear tube,

separate means in the control member for transmitting'sound from each recess to the sound passage, and means controlled by movement of the control member to render one sound transmitting means effective and to render the other ineffective.

6. A stethoscope comprising a substantially cylindrical body, a tubular control member extending longitudinally and mounted for turning movements in the body and projecting there from-at one end, an ear tube connected with said projecting end, said body being providedwith a transmitter at its opposite end and a second transmitter at one side, one of said transmitters being of the bell type and the other of the di-, aphragm type, said control member being provided with a sound passage leading o the ear tube, separate means in the control member for connecting each transmitter to said sound passaga-and means operated by turning movement of the control member for rendering one of said connections operative and the othe inoperative.

7, A, stethoscope comprising a substantially cylindrical body, .a tubular control member extending longitudinally and mounted for turning movements in the body and projecting therefrom at one end, an ear tube connected with said projecting end, said body being provided with a transmitter at its opposite end and a second transmitter at; one side and each, including a flared recess, a longitudinal sound passage in the.

control member leading to the ear tube, there being a sound passage leading from each recess adapted to be connected to the first sound passage, and means, comprising separate passages through the .end and a side wall of the control member operated by turning movementsof the control member to cut off communicationyfrom one recess to the first sound passage and establish connection from the other recess to said passage. 8. A stethoscope comprising a substantially cylindricalybodyprovided with a flared recess in oneend and a sound passage leading from said recess, a tubular control member extending longitudinally and mounted for turning movement in.

saidbody and including anend portionrprojecting from the opposite end of the body for connection.

to, anear tube, said body being provided with .a

lateralfiared recess atone side with a soundpas' sage leading fromthis recess, a flexible diaphragm covering one recess, said control member being provided. with a longitudinal sound passage lead: ing to the ear tube and separate passages-through the first recess, -a tubular control member ex-.

tending longitudinallyand mounted for turning, movements in said chamber and projectin from the open end, thereof for connection to an earv tube, said control member being; provided with a longitudinal sound passage leading to said tube, said body being provided with sound passages leading, from the respective recesses to said Lcham her, said control member being provided with, sound passages leading, from its longitudinalpassage through its end and a side wall respectively,.

said end and side passages being arranged to, be brought alternately into-alignment with the passages leading from the recesses on turning move.- ments of the control member, a spring tending to move the controlmember inwardly, a .collar forming, a hand grip onthe control member, and

cooperating shoulders on the body and collar to.

hold the control member in different adjusted positions vunder action of the spring.

JAMES J. TYNAN;

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in thetile of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,599,147 Aurness Oct. 2'7, 1925 1,708,398 Pilling Apr. 9, I929 

